Ecology

U1. Ecology: The Organization of Life (4.1)
U2. Biomes (6/7)
U3. Ecosystem Dynamics (Chapter 5 Food Webs/Energy Flow/Interactions)
U4. Populations (Chapter 8)
U5. Biodiversity (Chapter 10)

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Ecology Review Games (in the top right search bar, type the subject we are learning about - for example, "aquatic biomes")

Ecology Exam #1 Friday, 5/2


Vocab

• Ecosystem
• biotic factor
• abiotic factor
• organism
• species
• population
• community
• habitat
• biome
• climate
• latitude
• altitude
• tropical rain forest
• emergent layer
• canopy
• epiphyte
• understory
• temperate rain forest
• temperate deciduous forest
• taiga
• savanna
• temperate grassland
• chaparral
• desert
• tundra
• permafrost
• wetland
• plankton
• nekton
• benthos
• littoral zone
• benthic zone
• eutrophication
• estuary
• salt marsh
• mangrove swamp
• coral reef
• phytoplankton/zooplankton

Concepts

• Organization of life (hierarchy)
• Terrestrial biomes and the factors that distinguish them (overall climate, precipitation, temperature)
• Aquatic biomes and the factors that distinguish them (salinity, nutrient content, sunlight availability)
• Threats to terrestrial/aquatic biomes
• Iconic species and species adaptations of terrestrial/aquatic biomes

Ecology Exam #2: Ecosystem Dynamics Study Guide
Vocab

• photosynthesis
• producer
• consumer
• decomposer
• cellular respiration
• food chain
• food web
• trophic level
• carbon cycle
• nitrogen-fixing bacteria
• nitrogen cycle
• phosphorus cycle
• ecological succession
• primary succession
• secondary succession
• pioneer species
• climax community
• heterotroph
• autotroph
• chemoautotroph
• hydrothermal vent community
• chemosynthesis
• herbivore
• carnivore
• omnivore
• apex predator
• combustion
• erosion
• runoff
• weathering

Concepts:

• Explain how energy is transferred throughout ecosystems - from producers, throughout foodwebs, up to the highest trophic levels
• Differentiate between autotrophic organisms and heterotrophic organisms
• Describe how chemoautotrophic organisms obtain energy
• Explain the energy needs of producers VS. consumers (photosynthesis VS. cellular respiration)
• Explain how toxins like DDT move throughout an ecosystem
• Chemical equations for photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Differentiate between a food web and food chain
• Explain the energy loss associated with movement towards higher trophic levels in the trophic level pyramid
• Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus cycle mechanics & human influence
• Role of bacteria and lightening in Nitrogen cycle
• Ecological succession: Primary VS. Secondary
• Role of wild fires in ecological succession